Think about it
The day after
By Jun Velasco
LOCAL folks are in a quandary if the days ahead, after a most tiring electoral exercise, will usher in some positive change in our lives.
You see, most of our countrymen have for some time now reeling on the verge of despair, burdened by false hopes mostly dangled and promised by public officials, particularly those they have elected in office.
You must have noticed that the elections for our local candidates were a labo labo sort of contest among friends and allies. Fact is, we have no organized political opposition hereabouts. Better thank the triumvirate of GMA, FVR and JDV for the opposition’s continued demise in Pangasinan. What’s remarkable at this juncture is that sentiment-wise, our local electorate has shown concurrence with that in Metro Manila as gleaned from the similarity of choice for the senatorial candidates.
Does this show continued grip by the incumbents of our local voters? Or did our voters have a choice at all when those who fought for the elective slots came from the same political alliance?
The opposition’s apparent victory in the senate race must have been the handiwork of the national media, although it may be too early to tell, you say, because at press time there was an avalanche of Team Unity’s command votes from the countryside into Namfrel and the Comelec.
We need to watch more closely and find out how we can help get things moving for everyone, especially for the young and the future generation. We need to remind those who have won or who have been given a new mandate to brace up for the tough job ahead and sharply address the over-extended desperation of so many. But let us not be like majority of the opposition leaders who have oversimplified their analysis of this public desperation as a simple case of President Gloria’s “misrule.” Fact is, GMA is still our legitimate president, and the nonstop wrangling over her legitimacy to rule isn’t helping anyone, including the noise makers.
At this juncture, we recall Speaker Joe de Venecia’s candid talk with the barangay captains who trooped to his Bonuan Binloc residence last Tuesday.
Buoyant from a glorious victory, he asked them (words to this effect) to itemize every little or big promise he has promised his constituents, and resolved to implement them. The barangay leaders led by Eric Muñoz were touched by the speaker’s appeal. It was a simple appeal but it was everything, the barangay leaders were there for the first place.
We saw in that cordial meeting an ideal staging point for a new sense of governance in Dagupan City, especially now that the mantle of responsibility has been given back to Al Fernandez, the well-loved former mayor who was lustily applauded when he said he was giving back to them what they have missed for a long time.
What is that that the barangay chairmen have missed for a long time kaya? Al Fernandez said outgoing Mayor Benjie Lim has done a lot of good things, too, for the city. That he vowed to continue. Vice Mayor-elect Belen Fernandez looked at Al as he spoke, wearing a mystique smile.
Congratulations, and btw, when is the victory blowout?
(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/think-about-it/)
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